The Art of Lying
2021 studio album by Ist Ist
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The Art of Lying is the second studio album by Manchester post-punk band Ist Ist. It was released on 26 November 2021 by Kind Violence Records. Including live material, this is the group's seventh album-length release. It is their first album to chart in the UK.[1]
| The Art of Lying | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 26 November 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020 | |||
| Length | 38:22 | |||
| Label | Kind Violence Records | |||
| Producer | Michael Whalley | |||
| Ist Ist chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Art of Lying | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Irish Times |   |
| Sound of Violence | |
| Vinyl Chapters |  |
Background
Ist Ist recorded the album during the multiple lockdowns of 2020.[2] It was announced in August 2021[3] and was released on 26 November 2021.[4] The following week, the album became Ist Ist's first charting release, after entering the UK Albums Chart at number 87.[1] The cover of the album features the Eye of Shinjuku.[2]
The Art of Lying continues themes of mental health issues and psychogeography found in their first studio album, Architecture, written during various lockdown stages.[5] It also features anti-establishment and anti-capitalist themes.[6]
Reviews
Positive reviews followed the album's release. Tony Clayton-Lea of The Irish Times gave it 4/5 stars, positively comparing it to Joy Division calling their music 'a strain of solid-gold integrity and commitment.'[5] French music publication Sound of Violence gave the album 3/5.[7]
Callum Reid, writing for OriginalRock.net, called the album 'strong, solid and very listenable,' and compared it to the music of Joy Division and Ultravox.[6]
Imogen Lawlor, writing for Vinyl Chapters, was less favourable towards the album, commenting that the music let down the album's critical lyrical themes.[8]
'Josh' for RGM praised the album, but said it was lacking dynamically.[9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Listening Through the Wall" | 3:26 |
| 2. | "Fat Cats Drown in Milk" | 3:19 |
| 3. | "Middle Distance" | 3:43 |
| 4. | "Watching You Watching Me" | 2:56 |
| 5. | "The Waves" | 5:11 |
| 6. | "Extreme Greed" | 4:14 |
| 7. | "It Stops Where It Starts" | 3:08 |
| 8. | "If It Tastes Like Wine" | 3:39 |
| 9. | "Heads on Spikes" | 3:55 |
| 10. | "Don't Go Gentle" | 4:47 |
| Total length: | 38:22 | |
Personnel
- Recorded by Michael Whalley
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (Official Charts)[1] | 87 |